About

Overview

Piano Cleveland unites people from all walks of life through world-class international competitions, inclusive community programming, and fostering a love of piano. Since founding the Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition in 1974, the organization has remained at the forefront of the classical piano world.  

Piano Cleveland is a leading presenter of piano competitions. The flagship competition is the triennial Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC) boasting a Final Round Concerto with The Cleveland Orchestra and a $75,000 first prize package that includes a debut recital at Carnegie Hall. Piano Cleveland also hosts the CIPC for Young Artists to ensure pianists from ages 10-18 are provided with competition and early career experience. Both competitions focus heavily on investing in the futures of our medalists through our Artist Development Program.  

In non-competition years, Piano Cleveland hosts Piano Days, a community-wide festival celebrating piano in all its forms. Past CIPC medalists and world-renowned musicians are invited to perform at venues across Cleveland. Inclusive programming extends well beyond Piano Days. Every year, Piano Cleveland Live programming takes the piano out of the concert hall and brings it to the Cleveland Art Museum and local bars for free concerts featuring world-class pianists who perform a variety of repertoire.  

As a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization, Piano Cleveland is committed to fostering the love of piano amongst all audiences and skill levels. Through its partnership with Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Piano Cleveland has established two PianoLabs and presented educational programs at more than ten locations. Students of all ages benefit from Piano Cleveland’s piano donation program, which places good condition pianos into the places where they are needed most.